257-171, it wasn't even close. There was nine hours of debate, however

The bulk of the back-and-forth centered on language making permanent 14 of 16 provisions that had four-year sunset provisions under the original law, which Congress passed overwhelmingly after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

The bill also includes 10-year extensions to the two other provisions set to expire on Dec. 31, one allowing roving wiretaps and another allowing searches of library and medical records.

My privacy has just surrendered. But it got caught in a roving wiretap and checked out too many bomb-making books from the local library. Now my privacy has been declared an unlawful combatant, and under the pretext of security will be held without trial in an undisclosed location for an undetermined amount of time.

But my privacy has taken it all in stride, and admits this all makes great sense—certainly more than x-raying luggage or inspecting containers at ports. Hooray!